Shirodhara: Learn the Powerful Healing Benefits of this Ayurvedic Therapy
- vedatherapeutics
- Nov 2, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 7, 2023
Learn How Shirodhara Can Help You Reduce Stress & Anxiety Through Reconnection Of Mind, Body, & Spirit
Ayurvedic practice focuses on restoring harmony within the body to treat and prevent disease as well heal traumatic injury. Shirodhara is a sacred Ayurvedic therapy that has been clinically proven to have massive benefits on its recipients. If you are suffering from insomnia, anxiety, stress, hypertension, brain fog, or find yourself feeling disconnected and overwhelmed, Shirodhara and its healing benefits may be what you are looking for.
What is Shirodhara?
Shirodhara is an Ayurvedic therapy originating from India that has been practiced for over 5,000 years. While some Ayurvedic protocols may be performed over a multi-day program and can take time to yield results, Shirodhara has been shown to provide almost immediate benefits and recipients typically feel relief with their first treatment.
The procedure itself involves the recipient laying flat on their back and allowing their eyes to be covered as they begin transcending in to a meditative state. Depending on your specific needs which will be discussed before the proceedure, the practitioner will then pour one or more specially medicated oils (and possibly other liquids such as coconut water, milk, ghee etc. ) into a copper vessel known as a kumbha, which has a small hole in the bottom allowing for a consistent and controlled dripping flow of the liquid on to the recipient's forehead just between the eyebrows, called ajna marma in Ayurveda and where where we know the third eye to be.
As the practitioner purposefully guides the dripping stream in a meditative pattern over this point brainwave patterns transition from hyper-alert beta waves to relaxed-alert alpha waves (NLM, 2013. par 23). This procedure on its own lasts anywhere from 45-60 minutes and may at times be preceded by other Ayurvedic treatments such as Abhayanga.
As psychological relief begins to flood the mind, physiological relief begins to enrich and heal the body.
How Does Shirodhara Affect The Body?
In 2013 a team of talented physicians from the National Library of Medicine published a study they had performed on 16 healthy volunteers to analyze how the body responded to the physiological effects of Shirodhara.
After performing the procedures they concluded:
Hyper-alert Beta brains waves decreased
Relaxed-alert Alpha brain waves increased
Theta brain waves present in some cases
Reduced Respiratory Rate
Reduced Heart Rate
Reduced Diastolic Blood Pressure
"There was a significant improvement in mood scores and the level of stress (P <0.001). These changes were accompanied by significant decrease in rate of breathing and reduction in diastolic blood pressure along with reduction in heart rate. The relaxed alert state, after Shirodhara, was co-related with an increase in alfa rhythm in EEG." (NLM, 2013).
Shirodhara is a fantastic way to naturally regulate the nervous system allowing the body to heal itself, as well as support a healthy immune system.
How Do I Prepare For Shirodhara Treatment?
Before receiving a Shirodhara treatment, one should consider a few key points to assure the most comfortable experience possible:
Minimize stress & over stimulation before and after your appointment. Observe silence as much as possible.
Meditate beforehand while setting intentions for your treatment
Eat lightly - Shirodhara can affect the digestive system and light eating is recommended. Consider a Kitchari diet.
Dress comfortably and in a shirt you do not mind oil getting on. Oil will saturate your hair so be prepared to shower after the treatment is finished.
Avoid caffeine a couple of days before and after treatment to minimize disharmony in the body
Minimize screen time before and after treatment
Ask your practitioner for specific tips to maxamize personal benefits (T.A.E., 2014)
Who Should Not Receive Shirodhara Therapy?
Women pregnant in their third trimester
Those suffering from brain tumors or traumatic neck injuries
Those with sunburns, abrasions, or lacerations on the forehead
Those suffering from nausea, chills, fever, or dizziness
Those suffering from pulmonary edema
Those with an excess kapha imbalance
How Do I Find Shirodhara Treatment?
If you are interested in all the benefits Shirodhara has to offer, the first step is to find a Ayurvedic Medicine Practitioner near you and reach out for a pre-treatment consultation.
In your consultation they will determine your specific needs to best tailor your procedure for you. Next, you may now begin receiving Shirodhara treatments, as well as other supporting Ayurvedic therapies, which allow for true healing and vitality.
References:
1. Dhuri, Kalpana D, et al. “Shirodhara: A Psycho-Physiological Profile in Healthy Volunteers.” Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3667433/.
2. The Ayurveda Experience, Ghost Writer. “Everything You Need to Know about Shirodhara.” The Ayurveda Experience, 2014, theayurvedaexperience.com/blogs/tae/shirodhara-everything-you-need-to-know-about-shirodhara.
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